The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
